Method of and machine for the pro



J. BRUGGER June 19, 1934.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT MATCHES FiledFeb. 15 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 [ave/afar? J. BRUGGER 1,963,225

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT MATCHES June19, 1934.

, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15

J. BRUGGER METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLATMATCHES Filed Feb. 15, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. BRUGGER June 19, 19342METHOD OF AND IACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT MATCHES 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15, 1932 .I. .l.l.l.

June 19, 1934. J. BRBGGER 1,963,225

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT MATCHES FiledFeb. 15, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 fzwenfai? 76 June 19, 1934. J. BRUGGER1,963,225

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT MATCHES IFiled Feb. 15. 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented June 19, 1934 PATENTOFFICE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR THE PRO- DUCTION OF SHEETS OF FLAT.MATCHES Jacob Briigger, Frut'igenpswitzerlan'd Application February 15,1932, Serial No. 593,157 In Switzerland February 20, 1981 18 Claims.(Cl. Pi l-50) This invention relates to the production of sheets of flatmatches and splints of which are connected to each other at one end.

' In the known manufacture of sheets or cards of this kind, the cardswhich have been out from wet wood are first trimmed and the matches areformed by stamping out their tips and severing them at their flanks tothe required size, then the cards are successively subjected to thestamping, impregnating and drying operations. With this sequence ofworking incidences, particularly, the outer matches of a card usuallybecame unequal, as the wood remained moist until after the stampingoperation, thus having time for warping.

The object of this invention is to avoid these disadvantages by takingthe web of material obtained in a match-stock-cutting machine andfeeding the same forward in the longitudinal direction and successivelyimpregnating, drying and stamping the sheets of matches therefrom.

This method permits of subjecting the material to the stamping operationin a dry condition, so that subsequent warping of the wood is renderedimpossible and a series of sheets or cards for producing matchestherefrom of uniform width throughout is obtained.

The machine for producing cards of fiat matches, the splints of whichare connected to each other at one end, by means of the method accordingto the invention is provided with an impregnating device for thematerial for the matches and a drying device correlated thereto which issucceeded by a stamping device, the arrangement being such, that thematerial for the matches passes through the impregnating device firstand through the stamping device last.

The method according to the invention is hereinafter described by way ofexample only and by taking reference to the drawings in which aconstructional form of a machine for carrying out the method isillustrated.

In these drawings Fig. 1 is a schematical elevation of a machine, and

Fig. 2 a corresponding plan view,

Fig. 3 shows the machine in a longitudinal section with its middleportion broken away,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the rear end of the machine, 7

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 show on a larger scale details of the conveying anddressing devices in a crosssection, a top plan view and a longitudinalsection respectively,

Fig. 8 is a front view of the stamping device,

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the stamping device on thelongitudinal axis of the machine taken as a whole,

Figs. 10 to 13 are views on a larger scale of details of the stampingtools including the cutting blades, and of the means for fastening aswell as guiding and advancing the web of material,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a detail,

Figs. '15 and 16 illustrate two forms of stamped match cards,

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis of themachine taken as a whole of a first form of a stacking device for thematch cards,

Fig. 18 is a front View of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 shows a side elevationof the driving means,

Fig. 20 depicts a longitudinal elevation of a second constructional formof the stacking device,

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of Fig. 20, and

Fig. 22 illustrates a view of a detail on a larger scale.

Referring particularly to the Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, at the oneend of the machine a winding device V for a web of material for thematches, for example of wood, is arranged, which is provided with aplurality, for instance twelve, individually rotatable supply rolls eachto carry a web B of fresh, i. e. wet wood.

From the winding device the webs B pass over guide rolls through animpregnating tank 'J in which the webs are impregnated to the desireddegree and eventually dyed a suitable color.- After the impregnation thewebs B travel on a conveyor band 6 through a drying chamber K, whereuponthey enter in completely dry condition in a stamping device arrangedinfront of the drying chamber. During the passage through the dryingchamber the webs are subjected to a uniform longitudinal tensioning bymeans of a stretching device. This stretching device is composed of thepairs of rollers 1, 2 and 30, 31 respectively which are arranged at theentrance for the webs B in the drying chamber K as well as at the exitfor the same. The first-mentioned'pair of feed rolls is driven from theconveyor band 6 in continuous manner and the latter in intermittentmanner from the drive W of the stamping device. There is sufficientelasticity in the web of material itself to permit the resultingstretching effect. After leaving the stamping device the definitelystamped and severed match cards are received by a transfer device P inwhich a transmission drum 69 for conveying the match cards to trays Rfor stacking the same is provided, from which trays the match cards aresubsequently taken off to be subjected to the further working stages.

With the aid of the hereinbefore described machine the method accordingto the invention is altogether automatically performable until the stockmaterial on the winding device V is exhausted.

In the Figs. 3 to 7 the machine frame M constitutes for the main part adrying chamber and carries at its rear end the impregnating device J andat its front end the stamping device S. The supply rolls V for the websof material to be worked are arranged below the impregnating device inthe example illustrated in the number of twelve, and the arrangement issuch that each two adjacent rolls are staggered in the longitudinaldirection of the machine in order to provide the necessary space fortheir bearings. From the supply rolls the webs B pass to theimpregnating device and from thence to the feed roll 1, a removablymounted counter roll 2 being provided for pressing the webs against thisroll. The feed roll extends in one length the full width of the machine,whereas the counter roll is subdivided correspondingly to the number ofwebs. For mounting the counter roll, bell crank levers 3 are arranged onthe machine frame the respective upwardly directed arm 4 of which isengaged by connecting rods 1'7.

To the side plates of the machine, on the inside of the drying chamber,rails 5 of angular crosssection are connected on which link chains 6 arerunning, the respective links of which being interconnected bytransverse trusses '7, thus forming a continuous conveyor band forcarrying the webs B of material. For guiding these webs laterally, thetrusses 7 are provided at regular intervals with small stirrups 9 whichare spaced only the distance of a wooden web apart. The chains of theconveyor band are passed over end rollers 10, 11, the forward roller 10being actuated by themain drive of the machine by the intermediary of aspeed translation gear whereas from the shaft of the rear roller 11 ofthe feed roll 1 for the wooden webs is driven by means of a spur geardrive. The lower portion of the conveyor band is also guided on rails 5aof angular cross-section.

Oh the shields of the machine bearing supports 12 are. provided in whichshafts 14 are mounted. On the outside of these supports on the shafts1.4 levers are arranged, namely at the forward pairofsupports bell cranklevers 15, 16 and at the rearward pair one armed levers 15, thedownwardly directed armsl5, 15' at the two supports on one side of themachine being interconnected by the rod 17. This rod extends in the,path of the respective lever arm 4 as abovesaid by means of which thelever arms 3 carrying the counter rolls are rocked. The forwardly andobliquely upwardly extending arms 16 of the bell crank levers areengaged by a rod 18 which on its other end is linked to the free end ofthe one arm of a bell crank lever 19, the other end of which carries aroller engaging a cam disc Kb. On the inner side of the bearing supportsthe shafts of each pair of these supports carry fixed laterallyforwardly projecting arms 20 and between the two arms of each pair ofbearing supports a supporting beam 21 of a square crossesection (Figs. 5and '7) is arranged and on each beam twelve rod-shaped hangers 22adjustably secured which are. suspended exactly above the middle of thewooden webs B. To each pair of longitudinally lined up hangers apress-bar 23 is pivotally connected the rear end of which is bentupwardly in the manner of sledge-runners and which in the inoperativeposition rests against the wooden web B underneath so as to load the webfor straightening or dressing purposes. In the forward bearing supportsof the machine frame an axle 24 is mounted to which inner lever arms 25are secured. The two levers of the pair of bearing supports areinter-connected by a rod 26 which bears on a nose 27 on each press-bar23. Exteriorly on the axle 24: an arm 23 is provided to which a rod 29is connected, the other end of which is linked to a bell crank leveractuated by means of the cam disc Ka. When the rods 18 and 29 are movedby action of the related cam discs in the direction of the arrow, thearms 20 are swung upwardly, thus slightly raising the press-bars 23,whereupon the rocking motion of the arm 28 effects a rearward motion ofthe press-bars and thereby a further lifting of the same in the positionshown in chain dotted lines in Fig. 7, the supporting beams 21 beingcorrespondingly rocked about their journal pins. 7

Ahead of the conveyor band the stamping device St is situated to whichthe wooden webs are fed directly from the forward roll 10 by means ofthe pair of feed rolls 30, 31.

The operation of the described device is as follows:

The feed rolls 1, 2 impart to the webs of material Bacontinuousadvancing movement on the conveyor band, where they areloaded by the press-bars 23, towards the feed rolls 30, 31 which in turnconvey the wooden webs intermittently to the stamping tool, whereby eachtime during the short period between stamping incidences the stampingtools 39, 41 stamp out a series of matches from each web. Each time therolls 30, 31 impart an intermittent movement to the webs. a stretchingof the webs results which is again equalized by the continuous rollingof rolls 1, 2. As soon as a number of matches corresponding to the widthof a card is stamped out and cut off the press-bars 23 areretracted-from the webs together with the counter feed roll 3 in theabove-described manner, thus permitting the webs to equalize in lengthunhindered, since also the continuous advance movement is then stopped.Thereupon the retracted bars are again lowered and the stampingoperation resumed.

7 Owing to the described arrangement the wooden webs are laterallyguided in exact manner and permitted to expand and shrink freely inperiodical time intervals, so that the occurrence of occasional internaltensile stresses or warpings is prevented from causing irregularities inthe stamping eiiect or even rupture.

For a thorough understanding of the stamping device illustrated in theFigs. 8 to 16, Fig. 15 will serve to illustrate a match card stamped outfrom a wooden web including ten matches of the width b which representsat the same time the feed step of the intermittently advanced web. Thisfigure shows plainly the slits t between the matches and the apertures Zbetween the tips of the same which are producedby stamping outcorrespondingly shaped tongues of material. The definitely stamped cardis cut off during the last stamping stroke along the line T by means ofa separate cutting blade while the advancing movement is interrupted.Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 16, in a wider web of material the tipsof the matches may be stamped out at both longitudinal edges and. thenthe web folded about a scored line L spaced from its centre line so thatthe match tips come to lie in offset relation, as shown in dotted lineson the right hand side in this figure.

The stamping device is provided with two side shields 32 attached to theframe of the matchmaking-machine not shown in these figures, and formedat their upper part with a vertical slot 32a for guiding the cross-piece33 for holding the stamping tools. In the latter a number of toolholders 34a, equal to the number of the webs of material, in the presentcase twelve, are vertically displaceably inserted, a set screw 35screwed in the cross-piece for the tools from above serving as a stopmember for each tool holder and a head screw 36a screwed in from theside as a fastening means. For moving the cross-piece 33 for the toolsup and down connecting rods 37 are provided which act on pins on thecross-piece that project laterally through the side shields 32 and whichare actuated by eccentrics 38 carried by the main drive shaft W. To thelower end ofv each tool holder 34a a flat stamping blade 39 extendingtransversely of the web of material is screwed, the blade being providedwith longitudinal slots for engaging connecting screws 39a, so as topermit of adjusting the blade to the requisite height. The width of thestamping blade corresponds to the straight flange tof the matches. Aplurality of separate tool holders 34b are mounted on the cross piece33. These tool holders 341) are mounted laterally of the tool holders34a and are secured by means of screws 361) (Fig. 8). Punches 41 arelinked to the tool holders 341), which are pressed against the tools 39by means of leaf springs 42. The punches 41 cooperate with recesses 53bof guide members 53 (Fig. 14) to stamp out the apertures 1 of the matchsheets. The cutting edge of this punch is of a crosssection as requiredfor stamping out the apertures 1. In the downward direction the cuttingedge of the punch projects considerably beyond the stamping blade, sothat the slit along the flangs t is only effected at the end of thestamping stroke, a slit t for the match flanks being stampedsimultaneously with an aperture 1, for the preceding pair of matches.

Underneath the pairof feed rolls 30, 31 between the side shields 32 asupporting yoke U is arranged to the upper edge of which the bearingplate 40 is secured over which the webs B of material are passing. Beloweach web of material a rectangular aperture 40a is provided in thebearing plate through which the counter roll 31 is adapted to bearagainst the web B of material, while the feed roll 30, which extends thefull width of the machine and is provided above each web of materialwith a ribbed circumference for driving engagement with this web, bearsagainst the webs of material from above. The drive of the feed roll 30is effected by means of a ratchet wheel 43 which cooperates with a pawl43a which is linked to an arm 44 and held in engagement with the ratchetwheel 43 by means of a tension spring 45 attached with one of its endsto the yoke U. The arm 44 is swingably arranged on a pin fixed on theside shield 32 and carries at its free end a roller 46 which cooperateswith a cam disc 47 on the main drive shaft W. The cam disc 47 effectsvia the ratchet wheel drive 43, 43a the required rotational displacementof the roll 30 for executing the feed after each down stroke of thestamping tool. The rolls 10 are rotated continuously from the shaft W bymeans of linkchains and spur gears, and therolls drive the conveyor band6 for bringing on the webs B of material. The counter roll 31 for eachweb of material is mounted in a sliding member 48 (Fig. 10) which isguided to be'displaceable in the vertical direction in a vertical slotof the yoke U and pressed upwardly by means of a tension spring 49attached with one of its ends to the yoke .U,an adjusting nut 50at thelower end of the sliding member serving for limiting the .throw of thesame.

For guiding the webs of material at the entrance to the feed rolls andthe stamping device, guide ribs 51 are secured .to-the bearing plate-40,between each two adjacent webs B of material. Forked guide tongues 52(Figs.,10 and 13) ;.are connected to ribs 51 and bear againstthe webs Bof material and extend on both sides of the related guide ribs to theunderside of the feedroll 30. Underneath each web of material to therearward edge of the bearing plate a slightly down'' wardly deflectedstirrup 56 is connected; which serves for guiding the web towards theupper side of the bearing plate 40 in case the web should sag.

Each web of material is guided by a guide member 53 (Fig. 14) which isprovided with a longi tudinal slot 53a through which the web of materialis passed and which, as'aforesaid, is formed at one end with the recess53b, corresponding in crosssection exactly to the profile of the cuttingedge of the punch, for guiding the latter. In front of the bearing plate40 a vertical guide plate 54 is arranged and the stamping blade 39 is onone side guided between an extension 55 of this guide plate and thefront side flank of the guide member 53. The extension 55 is secured tothe guide plate- 54 by means of ribs 55a disposed in front of eachstamping unit and serving at the same time for guiding a holder 57 ofthe cutting blade.59 for serving a completed match card. The holder 57'is adjustably mounted in a sleeve 58, with itslower end (Fig. 10), thesleeve being pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 59a in a trans-.verse tilting member 60. The tiltingmemberfio extends the full width ofthe machine frame and is revolubly mounted on journals'oL'. A tensionspring 62 connected at one end to the tilting member and at the otherend to a lower extension 58a of the sleeve holds the cutting bladepressed against the guide plate 54. The tilting member 60 is providedwith an arm 60a which extends in the downward direction in the path of atwo. armed lever 63, 64. The latter is rotatably mounted on a shaft 65(Fig. 8) and its lower arm carries a roller 66 cooperating with a camdisc 67. A- tension spring 68 anchored at one end in the machine framemaintains the roller 66' in bearing contact with the cam disc 67. Oneach full revolu-- tion of the cam disc 67, which is completed while thecross-piece with the tools performs ten working strokes, the doublearmed lever 63, 64 effects a rocking motion of the tilting member 60 andthe latter a stroke of the cutting blade 59, whereby the stamped matchcards are severed along the line Tin Fig. 1e.

The Figs. 17 to 22 illustrate stacking devices for the reception of thedefinitely stamped match cards.

' In the Figs. 17 and 18 the stamping device of the match-making machineis illustratedby showing all the parts that are necessary for a goodunderstanding of the device. The stampingdevice, in which, asabove-described, the completely,

stamped match card B1 is periodically severed. by the cutting blade 59from the web B of material intermittently advanced by the feed rolls 30,31, is provided with side shields 32. At the front edge of the sideshields 32 in bearing brackets 32a the shaft of a transmission drum 68is mounted. The transmission drum is provided along its width withtwelve sections corresponding to the number of webs of material to beworked and each section is subdivided by sheet metal partitions inchambers each of which receives a severed match card B1. For moving thetransmission drum a ratchet wheel drive is provided, a two armed lever'72, 73 being arranged on one of the side shields 32, the one arm '73 ofwhich carries at its free end a guide roller engaging a cam disc '76,while to the other arm of the lever a pawl '71 is linked whichcooperates with the ratchet wheel '70. A tension spring '74 attached atone end to the side shield holds the roller on the arm '73 pressedagainst the related cam disc and the operating pawl '71 is maintained inengagement with the ratchet wheel '70 by means of a tension spring '75.Immediately after each time a match card has been severed, the describedratchet mechanism turns the transmission drum through the extent of oneunit of division so that the match cards of a transverse row, which inthe mean time were advanced by the feed means for the webs againrendered operative, are gripped by the drum and carried off in thedirection of the arrow in Fig. 17. Underneath the transmission drumbetween the brackets 32b of the side shields twelve conveyor bands '77are arranged which are passed over rollers '78, '79 and the upper.portions of which form together with the vertical longitudinal wallstwelve stacking trays for the match cards. Concentric with thecircumference of the drum above the conveyor band a comb 81 is arranged,the tines of which guide the match cards during their travel through theforward lower quadrant of the drum and which ends at a chute 82 to whichthe match cards pass over through slots 81a in the comb to slide down onthe chute to the conveyor bands '77. Through guide slots in the chute 82pushers 83 project forwardly which are operatively connected to areciprocating pusher holder 84 in the form of a bar and which by meansof the reciprocating motion imparted thereto push the match cards asthey slide down in front of them forwardly so as to stand up against thestack S. Thepusher bar 84, is carried by two, levers 85 which aresecured to a shaft 86 extending between the brackets 327), To the shaft86 is also connected a lever 8'7 which carries at its free end a rollercooperating with a cam disc 88, so that the lever 85 is periodicallyrocked and the pushers 83 advanced. On the shaft 86 is further carried alever 89 to which a pawl 90 is linked which is held in engagement with,a ratchet wheel 92 secured to the'shaft 78a of the roller '78 by acounterweight 91 and which effects the advance movement of the conveyorbands '77. Underneath each conveyor band '77 a plate 93 is arrangedwhich serves as'a support.

In the Figs. 20 to 22 a variant construction of the stacking device isillustrated. The stamping device shown in these figures inclusive of thecutting blades 59 is equal to that represented in the Fig. 20. In frontof the cutting blades 59 twelve conveyor bands 95 are disposed, therearward guide roller 96 of which is of a relatively small diameter topermit the bands to approach the cutting blades. for receiving thesevered match cards as closely as possible. The conveyor bands 95 whichpass over a supporting plate 98 run on forward guide rollers 97 todeliver the severed match cards B1 forwardly to the said forward guideroller. Ahead of these forward guide rollers which are mounted onbrackets 32b, connected to the side shields 32, on a shaft 99 transferlevers 100 are fastened which are in the form of an arcuate portion 100amerging in an extension 1007), the bottom plate of the stacking trays101 for the webs of material extending tangentially to the arcuateportion of the respective lever arm and the entrance ends of the traysbeing closedby a sliding plate 104 which is periodically lowered for thelength of a match card. Each transfer lever 100 consists of two sheetmetal parts which are connected to the shaft 99 on both sides of therelated conveyor band or transmission roller 97 respectively. 7Moreover, on the shaft 99 a downwardly extending arm 102 is securedwhich for periodically rocking the shaft and the transfer lever isengaged by a connecting rod 103. Each sliding plate 104 is secured on anupstanding rod 105, the middle portion of which is offset to avoidinterfering with the shaft 99. The rods 105 are connected. to a commontransverse bar 106 which is mounted in two levers 107 secured on a shaft108. For the purpose of reciprocating the slides 104 a periodic rockingmotion is imparted to the shaft 108 by means of a lever 109 fixed onshaft 108and pivotally connected to a connecting rod 110, areciprocating motion being imparted to said rod by any suitable meansnot shown in the drawings.

1e match cards brought on by a conveyor band 95 for one web of materialslide over the forward guide roller 9'7 down on the transfer lever 100in the position of the extension 1001) of the same asindicated in chaindotted lines in Fig. 22. At the same time the slide 104 is lowered andimmediately afterwards the arm 100 rocked tothe left in this figure,thus showing the match card in the stacking tray whichit enters inupstanding position so as to line up with the other stacked cards inwhich position'it is held by the slide 104. which was again raised inthe mean time. In order to provide for a transfer of the match cardsentirely free of disturbances the rearward edge of the bottom of thestacking tray is downwardly deflected in an arc concentric with theshaft 99.

This arrangement offers the advantage that defective or cracked matchcards are readily detected andremoved, thus avoiding scrap among thedelivered goods.

I claim: r

1. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating and a stamping device forthe webs, said devices disposed at the rear and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfrom said impregnating device towards said stamping device, flexibleconveyor members moving from said impregnating device towards saidstamping device, supporting members arranged between said conveyormembers for carrying said webs in the manner of a conveyor band, guidemeans on said supporting members for laterally guiding said webs, apress-bar correlated to each web of material for loading the same andadapted to be periodically retracted therefrom, and means 5 for stoppingsaid feed means when said press-bars are in retracted position.

2. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating and a stamping device for15.0

the-webs, said devices disposed at the rear and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfromsaid impregnating device towards said stamping device, flexibleconveyor members moving from said impregnating device towards saidstamping device, and adapted for carrying said webs in the manner of aconveyor band, bearing supports arranged in pairs in oppositedisposition on the sides of the machine frame, a shaft extending betweenoppositely disposed bearing supports, levers non-rotatably mounted onsaid shafts, supporting beams revolubly accommodated by opposite levers,hangers adjustably connected to said supporting beams above the paths ofsaid webs, a press-bar for each web of material suspended in the hangersabove the path of the respective web, connecting rods disposed betweenthe levers of the same side of the machine, a linkage for actuatingthelevers on the forward pair of bearing supports, and means for drivingsaid actuating means from the main drive of the machine.

3. In a machine for the production of sheets of fiat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating and a stamping device forthe webs, said devices disposed at the rear and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfrom said impregnating device towards said stamping device, flexibleconveyor members moving from said impregnating device towards saidstamping device and adapted for carrying said webs in the manner of aconveyor band, bearing supports arranged in pairs in oppositedisposition on the sides of the machine frame, a shaft extending betweenoppositely disposed bearing supports, levers non-rotatably mounted onsaid shafts, supporting beams revolubly accommodated by opposite levers,hangers adjustably connected to said supporting beams above the paths ofsaid webs, a press-bar for each web of material suspended in the hangersabove the path of the respective web, noses disposed on said press bars,connecting rods disposed between the levers of the same side of themachine, a linkage for actuating the levers on the forward pair ofbearing supports, means for driving said actuating means from the maindrive of the machine, a lower shaft extending between said oppositelydisposed bearing supports, leverarms carried by said lower shaft on theinside of the machine frame, a traverse extending between the outer endsof said lever arms and cooperating with said noses, arms secured to saidlower shafts on the outside of the machine frame, actuating rods forsaid arms, and cammeans provided in the main drive of the machine forcooperation with said'actuating rods and adapted to completely retractthe press-bars moved out of contact with the webs of material by saidlinkage.

4. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating and a stamping device forthe webs, said devices disposed at the rear and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfrom said impregnating device towards said stamping device, flexibleconveyor' members moving from said impregnating device towards saidstamping device, and adapted for carrying said webs in the manner of aconveyor band, bearing supports arranged in pairs in oppositedisposition on the sides of the machine frame, a shaft extending betweenoppositely disposed bearing supports, le-

vers non-rotatably'mounted on said shafts, supporting beams revolublyaccommodate by opposite levers, hangers adjustably connected to saidsupporting beams above the paths of said webs, a press-bar for each webof material suspended in the hangers above the path of the respectiveweb, a feed r011 adapted for continuously advancing the Webs of materialand arranged at the rear end of the machine, a counter roll disposedabove said feed roll, bell crank levers rotatably accommodating saidcounter roll on the respective arms of the same, connecting rodsinterconnecting the other arms of said bell crank levers and said leversnon-rotatably mounted on said shafts, and actuating arms on saidsupporting beams for periodically retracting said counter roll togetherwith said press bars from said webs of material.

5. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material comprising a stamping device, a stamping blade for each webof material adapted for effecting a straight slit between adjacentmatches, a tool holder for each stamping blade, an adjustable connectionbetween said tool holder and each stamping blade for individuallyadjusting said blades relatively to said tool holder, a punch of atrapezoidal crosssection and formed with a tapering cutting edge forstamping out an aperture between adjacent matches for forming the matchtips, a separate tool holder for said punch, a pivotal connectionbetween said punch and said separate tool holder, a guide member forsaid punch, and a leaf spring for pressing said punch on said guidemember.

6. In a machine for the production of sheets 'oi' flat matches from websof material, in combinae tion, an impregnating and a stamping device forthe webs, said devices disposed at the rear end and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfrom said impregnating device towards said stamping device, a ribbedfeed roll included in said feed means behind the stamping position ofsaid stamping device and adapted for intermittently feeding said webs tosaid stamping position, a counter roll for each web cooperating withsaid feed roll, a suDDOrtingc yoke, for the webs transversely .Iisposedin the machine frameunder neath said feed roll, an apertured bearingplate provided on top of said supporting yoke, asliding membervertically displaceably arranged in said supporting yoke underneath thepath of each web, mounting means provided on said sliding member for therespective counter roll, and a spring inter' posed between said yoke andeach sliding member for urging the related counter roll through acorrelated aperture in said bearing plate against the corresponding webof material for pressing said web against said feed roll.

'7. In a machine for the production of sheets of fiat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating and a stamping device forthe webs, said devices disposed at the rear end and the front end of theframe of the machine respectively, feed means for advancing the websfrom said impregnating device towards said stamping device, a ribbedfeed roll included in said feed means behind the stamping position ofsaid stamping device and adapted for intermittently feeding said webs tosaid stamping position, a counter roll for each web cooperating withsaid feed roll, a supporting yoke forthe webs transversely disposed inthe machine frame underneath said feed roll, an apertured bearing plateprovided on top of said supporting yoke, guide ribs arranged on saidbearing plate for laterally guiding the webs of material, forked guidetongues straddling said guide ribs for holding the webs entering betweensaid feed roll and said counter rolls, and means for yieldingly urgingsaid counter rolls against said feed roll through the correlatedapertures in said bearing plate for pressing the webs of materialagainst said feed roll.

8. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, a stamping device for the matches, a bearing plate for the webs extending across! the stamping position of saidstamping device, a supporting yoke for said bearing plate, a guide plateprovided in front of said bearing plate of said stamping device, andsecured to said supporting yoke, a cutting blade for each web forsevering a completed match sheet therefrom associated with said stampingdevice, a holder for said cutting blade, a tilting member extendingacross the full width of the machine frame, adjustable connecting meansarranged between said holders and said tilting member adapting saidcutting blades to be vertically adjusted and operatively connected withsaid tilting member, and a spring for each cutting blade cooperatingwith said adjustable connecting means between said holders and saidtilting plate for pressing said cutting blades against said guide plate.

9. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, a stamping device for the matches, a

bearing plate for the webs extending across the stamping position ofsaid stamping device, a supporting yoke for said bearing plate, a guideplate provided in front of said bearing plate of said stamping device,and secured to said supporting yoke, a cutting blade for each web forsevering a completed match sheet therefrom associated with said stampingdevice, a holder for said cutting blade, a tilting member extendingacross the fullwidth of the machine frame, adjustable connecting meansarranged between said holders and said tilting member adapting saidcutting blades to be vertically adjusted and operatively connected withsaid tilting member, and a spring for each cutting blade cooperatingwith said adjustable connecting means between said holders and saidtilting plate for pressing said cutting blades against said guide plate,an arm provided on said tiltingmember, a two armed lever opera" tivelyconnected with said arm, and cam means cooperating with said two armedlever and adapted to periodically rock said tilting member upon thecompletion of a match sheet for severing the same from each web ofmaterial by said cutting blades.

10. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, a stamping device for the matches, acutting blade for each web for severing the match sheets therefromassociated with said stamping device, a stacking device for the matchsheets succeeding said stamping device, a transmission drum provided insaid stacking device in front of said stamping device and subdividedalong its width into a number of sections corresponding to the webs ofmaterial, chambers each for receiving a match sheet severed by saidcutting blades and formed in the circumference of said sections of saidtransmission drum, a comb for guiding the match sheets contained in saidchambers arranged opposite the delivery portion of the circumference ofsaid drum, inclined chutes arranged at the delivery end of said comb,stacking trays for the match sheets adjoining said chutes, conveyorbands constituting the bottom of said stacking trays, pusherscooperating with said stacking trays for shoving the match sheetsarriving from said chutes in an upright position into the same, andmeans for actuating said stacking device inclusive of said pushers inconjunction with said cutting blades severing the match sheets.

11. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, a stamping device for the matches, acutting blade for each web for severing the match sheets therefromassociated with said stamping device, a stacking device for the matchsheets succeeding said stamping device, a transmission drum provided insaid stacking device in front of said stamping device and subdividedalong its width into a number of sections corresponding to the webs ofmaterial, chambers each for receiving a match sheet severed by saidcutting blades and formed in the circumference of said sections of saidtransmission drum, an escapement mech anism for actuating saidtransmission drum, a comb for guiding the match sheets contained insaidchambers arranged opposite the delivery portion of the circumference ofsaid drum, inclined chutes arranged at the delivery end of said comb,

stacking trays for the match sheets adjoining saidchutes, conveyor bandsconstituting the bottom of said stacking trays, another escapementmech-' anism for actuating said conveyor bands, a com mon actuating rodfor said pushers, rockable levers accommodatingsaid actuating rod, cammeans for actuating said rockable levers, anddriving means for actuatingsaid escapement mechanisms and said cam means in timed relationship andin conjunction with said cutting blades severing the match sheets.

12. In a method for the production of sheets of flat matches from woodveneer, the steps of unwinding coiledwebs of wood veneer, advancing thewebs in the longitudinal direction of the same, impregnating the webs,drying the'webs and simultaneously stretching the 'webs longi tudinally,intermittently pressing the webs during the drying operation, andstamping match sheets out of said webs.

13. In a machine fo the production of sheets of fiat matches from websof 'material, in combination, a plurality of supply rolls foraccommodating a supply of the web-shaped stock material for the matchsheets, said rolls disposed at the rear end of the frame of the machine,a stamping device for the webs at the front end of the frame of themachine, flexible conveyor members moving from said supply rolls towardssaid stamping device and adapted to carry said webs in the manner ofabelt conveyor, and a drying chamber substantially enclosing saidconveyor members for drying the webs during'their passage from saidsupply rolls to said stamping device. t

14. In a machine fcrthe production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, combination, a stamping device for the matches, a cuttingblade for each web for severing the match sheets'therefrom associatedwith said stamping M5 cutting blade, a stacking tray for the matchsheets adjoining said conveying member, a pusher cooperating with saidstacking tray for shoving the match sheets arriving from said conveyingmember into the same, and means for actuating said stacking deviceinclusive of said pusher in conjunction with said cutting blade severingthe match sheets.

15. In a machine for the production of sheets of fiat matches from websof material, in combination, a stamping device for the matches, acutting blade for each web for severing the match sheets therefromassociated with said stamping device, a stacking device for the matchsheets succeeding said stamping device, a transmission drum provided insaid stacking device in front of said stamping device and subdividedalong its width into a number of sections corresponding to the webs ofmaterial, chambers each for receiving a match sheet severed by saidcutting blades and formed in the circumference of said sections of saidtransmission drum, stacking trays for the match sheets adjoining thedelivery portion of the circumference of said drum, and means foractuating said stacking device in conjunction with said cutting bladessevering the match sheets.

16. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating device for the webs, adevice for drying the webs after their passage through said impregnatingdevice, feed means at the rear end of the drying device for advancingthe webs in the longitudinal direction thereof, means for periodicallyretracting said feed means from engagement with the webs of material,and a stamping device for stamping the match sheets out of said webs.

1'7. In a machine for the production of sheets of fiat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating device for the webs, adevice for drying the webs after their passage through said impregnatingdevice, continuously driven feed rolls at the rear end of said dryingdevice for advancing the webs in the longitudinal direction thereof,counter rolls disposed opposite said feed rolls, means for periodicallyretracting said counter rolls from said webs of material, intermittentlydriven feed rolls for the Webs at the front end of said drying device,and a stamping device for stamping the match sheets out of said webs.

18. In a machine for the production of sheets of flat matches from websof material, in combination, an impregnating device for the webs, adevice for drying the webs after their passage through said impregnatingdevice, a stamping device for stamping the match sheets out of said websin the definitely impregnated and dried condition of the material, meansfor supporting the webs during their passage through said drying device,a press device movable together with said webs for pressing the websagainst said supporting means, and means for periodically retractingsaid press device from the webs.

JACOB BRUGGER.

